As is often the case when you are marrying couples from overseas you cannot mention in any shape or form that there is, or has been, a wedding. That is until they have returned home! Sometimes they make phone calls and sometimes they wait until they get home to share the news that while in New Zealand they got married. Rececently, I had the pleasure of helping Jacqueline and Raimund in their surprise wedding. In this case the couple were to surprise those they were travelling with - his Father and her Mother and Father and Brother. A wonderful surprise. This is what I received, via email the other day.Dear Julie,Looking back to our marriage at Sign of the Bellbird on 10th March 2015, we would like to thank you for being our celebrant and aiding us in surprising our families. You contributed so much for making this date our special day – thank you!We wrote the following feedback onweddingwise.co.nz(English and German translation):ENGLISH---------Julie was our celebrant at our surprise wedding. We live in Switzerland and wanted to marry in New Zealand during a holiday with our families. We contacted Julie and organised our marriage with Julie's professional help and guidance. We didn't meet Julie before the wedding, but as it turned out she was the best choice and we highly recommend her!Julie - thank you so much for being our celebrant and for making this date our special day!Jacqueline & RaimundGERMAN----------Wir leben in der Schweiz und wollten unsere Familien mit unserer Hochzeit während den gemeinsamen Ferien in Neuseeland überraschen.Wir nahmen mit Julie Kontakt auf und organisierten unsere Hochzeit, wobei uns Julie immer mit Rat und Tat zur Seite stand.Vor der Hochzeit hatten wir mit Julie nur per EMail Kontakt. Wie sich herausstellte ,war Julie die bestmögliche Wahl und können sie uneingeschränkt empfehlen!Julie - vielen Dank, dass Du unsere Hochzeitszeremonie geleitet hast und das Datum zu unserem speziellen Tag gemacht hast.Jacqueline & RaimundUnfortunately, our holidays in New Zealand are already over – we really enjoyed your beautiful country and the positive and kind attitude of the people. We found our New Zealand Marriage Certificate when we arrived at home yesterday JAll the best,Jacky & RaiIt is always reassuring when you you get feedback and know that we delivered the outcome the couple were wanting. A special plug for the team at the Christchurch, BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages office) they do such a great job and to have the Marriage Certificate waiting for them when they returned home is very efficient. Well done everyone.

To you Jacqueline and Raimund thank you for choosing me to be with you on your special day and I hope you enjoy these photos.